Switch



Sept. 25, 1945. E.. T. PLATZ 2,385,727

SWITCH Filed Aug. l5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l 20 25 l? 6 2a 22 "wuuu'uaan 23 e. um m /NvENTo/R ELwooo 7'. PLATZ ATTORNEY Sept. 25, 1945., E T PLATZ 2,385,727

SWITCH Filed Aug. l5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ELwooD T. PLATZ "Y @www ATTORNEY Sept. 25, 1945. E. T PLATZ 2,385,727

SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. l5, 1942 INVENTOR .f5-Lwoo@ 7'., Pl; Y

E. T. PLATZ SWITCH Filed Aug. l5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTF? ELWOOD 7'. P/.m'z @MMX/wf,

TTGRNEV Sept. 25, 1945.

Patented Sept. 25, 1945 SWITCH Elwood T. Platz, Detroit, Mich., assig-nor to Bulldog Electric Products Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of West Virginia Application August 15, 1942, Serial No. 454,937

30 Claims. (Cl. 20D-116) This application relates to switches.

In a prior application, Serial No. 451,431, illed July 18, 1942, there is disclosed a switch having an exposed push button actuator or handle Il; switch parts are moved to occupy one position when the circuit is closed and another when the circuit is open. It is suggested there that the position of a part within the switch can be relied upon for indicating the condition of the contactor of that device, circuit open or circuit closed, with that part viewed through a window or transparent portion.

I disclose here a pawl which holds the buttn in an intermediate rest-out position when the circuit is closed, but which moves when the circuit is opened so that it does not hold the button, but frees it to move to an extreme rest-out position. Thus, the button has two rest-out positions, an extreme rest-out position for open circuit, and an intermediate rest-out position for closed circuit. The different portions of the ex- DOSed button will indicate the condition of the contactor, open or closed circuit.

The provision ot the pawl does not alter the movement of the button which is still pushed in manually from a rest-out position, and then released to be moved to a rest-out position by a spring, for any and all of its operations. The pawl merely determines the extent of outward travel of the button, when released to 4be moved by the handle spring. The pawl determines the starting position of the button for the next stroke or inward push of the button lmanually.

The indication is provided by the difference in the two rest-.out positions of the button. If the button is in the extreme rest-out position, then the indicator will indicate that the circuit is open. If the button is in the intermediate restout position, then the indicator will indicate that the circuit is closed.

I also disclose here an indicator to be actuated by the button. The indicator is a plate movably mounted in the button and exposed through a window or slotin the front of the button. The indicator marking that is exposed through that window is determined by the button rest-out position. Movement of the indicator is accomplished by the movement of the button. The indicator constantly engages a stationary part of the device and is constantly engaged by the movable button. Therefore, it moves relative to, as well as by and with the button.

The switch above described is shown in the appended drawings.

CII

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is an outside view.

Figs. 2 and 3 show off and on positions, respectively.

Fig. 4 shows the parts at the end of an inward stroke of the handle, after the parts were in the off position.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the handle.

Fig. 7 shows the casing.

Fig. 8 shows parts in detail.

Fig. 9 is a section view.

Fig. 10 shows parts in off position.

Figs. 11 and 12 show the manual latch releasing action.

Fig. 13 is a transverse section view.

Figs. 14-15 show the indicator in two different positions.

Figs. 16-17 are detailed views.

The drawings show the switch as comprising a cup shaped casing I0 having an open front closed by a plate or cover II secured thereto, as by screws (not shown). The back of the case is formed with two openings, I2 and I3, for line and load terminals I 4-I 5.

In an opening I6 reciprocates a handle or actuator I1 formed as a push button. A groove I8 of the handle receives a tongue I 9 of the casing, with operating clearances provided between the side walls 2li-2| of the handle and the left and right side surfaces 22 and 23 of the casing interior; the back and front surfaces 24-25 of the handle slidably engage the back surface 26 of the casing and the surface of the cover.

A cross ledge 2B of the casing has at 30, a seat for a coiled compression spring 3l which biases the handle outwardly, the upper end of the spring seating in a socket 32 of the handle back, and against a lug 33 thereof, which lug is adapted to cooperate with the upper end of a spring receiving socket in the back of the casing to limit outward motion of the handle; another limitation or stop for handle movement is provided by a handle lug 34 formed for cooperation with a pawl 35; still another limitation or stop for handle movement is provided by a handle lug 36 formed to cooperate with a casing lug 31.

The pawl 35, later to be described in detail, restrains outward travel of the handle, but only during the closed circuit position, merely holding the handle in an intermediate or on position, and preventing the handle from going all the way out to its open circuit or off position.

Handle position is relied upon to indicate the position of the circuit closing parts within the casing. The handle is furthest out in the open circuit or ofi position; it is held by the pawl 35, not so far out in its circuit closed or on" position; when the handle is pressed down from the closed circuit position for opening the circuit, it travels into the case a slight distance so as to release itself from the pawl 35 above mentioned, whereupon the spring 3| moves the handle well out of the casing to the off position, movement being stopped by parts 36-31. v

Movement of the handle is utilized to operate an indicator inthe form of a plate 38 having an actuating lug 48 and having on` and off markings. The plate is disposed within an undercut portion 4| of the handle so that only one of the two markings of the plate is visible at any time through a window slot 42 of the handle. The lug l5 rides in a camming groove 43 formed in the upper portion of the back of the casing.

As the handle moves up and down, the plate 33 moves back and forth alternately in the undercut 5| to expose its on and off markings alternately to view through the slot 52. When the handle is full out or in the oi" position, the lug i3 of the indicator plate 38 is in the upper or back part of the groove 53 and the off marking is exposed through slot 52. As the handle is moved down, plate 38 slides down with the handle and forward f the slot 132 to present its on marking to slot 52. In the on position of the handle, lug 50 of plate 38 is in that part of groove i3 which causes plate 38 to have its on marking exposed at slot 62; and only when the handle is in the extreme out or ofi position will the lug (i8 be in the upper or rear-most part of groove d3 so that the ofi marking of plate 33 is exposed to slot 32.

Since the handle occupies but one circuit open position, whether the circuit be opened manually or by automatic overload release, the handle has but two rest positions, on and oi and these two positions indicate the condition of the circuit controlling parts of the breaker.

The circuit controlling parts of the switch include a stationary contact 54 disposed under and against a ledge 55 of the casing and formed integral with line terminal i4. A U-shaped iibre arc shield 56 engages a hooked stop lug il of the casing. Adapted to make butt contact with the stationary contact M is the contact portion 38 of a movable contactor 59 having an l.shaped contact arm 50 which is riveted at 5| to a bimetal strip 52, with rivet being formed as a pin to provide a loose pivotal connection between the contactor 59, comprising parts E50-52, and a plate 53 of insulation, the latter having an elongated slot 53 receiving a stop lug 55 formed on the back of the casing. Pawl 35 is an integral part of plate 53.

An operating spring 55 has its lower end 5l in a seat of the casing and its upper end surrounding a spring lug 53 formed from the contact arm 50. Spring 55 functions-to rotate arm 50 counter-clockwise for circuit opening on the axis of pivot pin 5| when the latching hook 60 forming the free end of the bimetal strip 52 is released from engagement with the holding abutment, i. e., the latching edge 6| of the plate 53. Such release of latch 60 from the holding means 5| is effected either automatically, by the warping of the bimetal 52 on overload, or manually, by the camming action provided by a sloping cam 62 of and integral with the handle. When this cam is pushed down it cams latch hook 58 off the abutment or holding means 6|, to permit the contact arm to be rocked counter-clockwise relative to the plate 53 by the spring I56, for circuit opening.

Spring 56 also biases contactor 58 and plate 53 upwardly, and when the latch holds, provides the force to move contact 48 towards'and press contact 48 against contact 44.

In a circuit opening action (Figs. 2-3), spring 55, through pivot axis 5|, will slide the plate 53 upwardly, with the latter guided by the casing; the engagement of the lower edge of plate slot 54 with casing stop 55 will limit such movement of the plate. That stop 55 will at that time function as a pivot for the plate 53 and since the line of action of spring 56, through axis 5|, is to the left of that pivot, plate 53 will rock clockwise about stop 55, under the spring biasing force (Fig. 2). Pawl portion 35 of plate 53, which normally holds handle Il against extreme outward movement, will thereupon be caused to release its hold on lug 34 of handle I'| to release that handle and permit it to travel to the full oli position, under the bias of spring 3|.

In the on position, however, the plate 53 is so positioned by the spring 56 and by the casing walls that pawl 35 engages handle lug 34 to hold the handle against full outward travel to off position.

A exible connector 65, looped around the bimetal strip 52, has one end 6B secured to the free end of that bimetal strip and has its other end 5l secured to that part of the load terminal i5 that was thrust into the casing through the load terminal hole i3. This connector completes the circuit between the two terminals ill-l5, employing only that part of the contact arm 50 extending from contact d8 to pivot pin 5| for carrying current.

The end of pivot pin 5| near the back of the casing is seated within a casing pocket 58, elongated to permit the pin 5| to slide up and down.

A lug 'i0 bent down from terminal I5, is the part to which the end 61 of connector 35 is secured.

To restore the parts to the circuit closing position (Fig. 3), the handle l1 is pushed down as far as it will go and it will go down far enough, first to cause the notch 'H of a cam part thereof to engage a resetting lug 12 of the plate 53, and second, to cause the pin 5| to slide downwardly. That part of plate 53 connecting lug 'I2 and pin 5| acts as a translator. The contactor 49 will move downwardly with pin 5| until arm 5l) reaches a resetting stop il of the casing, although in many instances that stop will have been engaged by the arm 50 at the end of the circuit opening movement of the arm. Continued downward movement of the handle and continued downward movement of the lug 12, and pin 5|, will cause the contactor to engage stop (ll and rock clockwise, on axis 5|, far enough to cause latch 50 to slide over or overtravel beyond holding edge 6| (Fig. 4), for relatching. The release of the handle by the operator at that time will free the handle to be moved to its outward position by the spring 3| (Fig. 3), and as the handle moves outwardly, the spring 56 will act on the contactor.

The contactor will rock slightly counterclockwise and assume its final on position, with latch 60 engaging holding edge 6|, and with contact 48 abutting contact 44 under pressure of spring 56. Plate 53 will rock counter-clockwise to place lug l2 out of the path of cam 1|.

The space 'I4 between ledge 28 and the line terminal ledge 45 provides a pocket for the ilexible connector 65, which, thus being pocketed, is re 4 strained from fouling the moving parts of the device to impede their operation.

At 1I is illustrated a calibrating tip of the contactor, engaging the plate 53, and determining the position or the latch tip 60 relative to the latch surface 8|.

When the contactor is manufactured, the position of the ilexible tip 60 relative to rigid tip 'I5 may not be as desired, and, therefore, the bimetal may be moved for calibration and-to obtain an accurate positioning of tip B with respect to tip 1li: since the position of rigid tip 15, formed to engage the edge of plate 53, is not variable, calibration of the position of tip B0 relative to tip automatically insures calibration of the position oi' tip 60 relative to plate 53 and automatically insures calibration of the amount of overlap of tip 60 on edge 6I oi! plate 53 and automatically insures calibration of the amount of warping of tip 60 from edge 6| of plate 53 that is required to unlatch the breaker.

Now having described the device herein disclosed, reference is had to the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a switch, a handle arranged to be advanced manually and returned automatically, means for automatically returning the handle, a stop for limiting the return movement of and dening an extreme position of the handle, a movable pawl for limiting return movement of the handle to an intermediate position, the pawl moving into and out of a handle stopping position, means connecting the handle and pawl responsive to advance of the handle from its intermediate position for shifting the pawl, which at that time is in handle stopping position, out of handle stopping position, and responsive to-advance of the handle from its extreme position for shifting the pawl, which at that time is out of handle stop- 40 ping position, into handle stopping position.

2. In a, switch, a handle arranged to be advanced manually and returned automatically, means for automatically returning the handle, a stop for limiting the return movement of and defining an extreme position of the handle, a movable pawl for limiting return movement of the handle to an intermediate position, the pawl moving into and out of a handle stopping position, means responsive to advance of the handle 5 from its intermediate position for shifting the pawl, which at that-time is in handle stopping position, out of handle stopping position, and responsive to advance of the handle from its extreme position for shifting the pawl, which at nected to the pawl, whereby the pawl has deilnite 50 circuit opening and closing positions corresponding to similar positions of the contactor.

3. A switch comprising a stationary contact, a movable contactor for engaging it, latch means for the contactor, spring means for moving the 05 unlatahed contactor from the contact and for urging the latched contactor against the contact, a handle for engaging the latch directly and unlatching it so that the contactor leaves the contact, the handle being movable for relatching the released latch so that the contactor returns to conduct engaging position, there to be held by the spring, the handle being formed to have an advance stroke and a return stroke, two

ranged with respect to the latch means and the contactor that in the normal operation of the handle it goes through a complete cycle for latch releasing and a complete cycle for relatching and circuit closing, vthe handle being formed to be advanced manually and returned automatically unless held, a return spring for automatically returning the handle, a stop for limiting the outward movement of the handle caused by the return spring to an extreme position, a pawl for limiting outward movement of the handle, when it is engaged by the pawl to an intermediate position, the pawl being movable 'into and out of a handle stopping position, and means connecting the handle and the pawl whereby the pawl shifts from handle stopping position in response to advance of the handle from its intermediate position and shifts into handle stopping position in response to advance ofthe handle from its extreme position.

4. A switch comprising a stationary contact, a movable contactor for engaging it, latch means for the contactor, spring means for moving the unlatched contactor from the contact and for urging the latched contactor against the contact, a handle for engaging the latch directly and unlatching it so that the contactor leaves the contact, the handle being movable for relatching the released latch so that the contactor returns to contact engaging position, there to be held by the spring, the handle being formed to have an advance stroke and a return stroke, two strokes in each cycle oi.' movement, and so arranged with respect to the latch means and the contactor that in the normal operation of the handle it goes through a complete cycle for latch releasing and a complete cycle for relatching and circuit closing, the handle being formed to be advanced manually and returned automatically unless held, a return spring for automatically returning the handle, a stop for limiting the outward movement of the handle caused by the return spring to an extreme position, a pawl for limiting outward movement of the handle, when it is engaged by the pawl to an intermediate position, said spring biasing the pawl to a handle stopping position when the contactor is latched and biasing the pawl out oi that position when the contactor is unlatched, said spring operating in response to advance of the handle from its intermediate position for shifting the pawl, which at that time is in handle stopping position, out of handle stopping position, and in response to advance of the handle from its extreme position for shifting the pawl, which at that time is out 'of handle stopping position, into handle stopping position.

5. In a switch, latch means, and a handle separate from the latch means for unlatching it, and spring means for moving the latch means well away from latching position when it is unlatched, the handle being operable for returning the latch means to the latching position after it is moved away therefrom by the spring, a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position.

6. In a switch, latch means, and a handle separate from the latch means for unlatching it, and spring means for moving the latch means well away from latchingposition when it is unlatched,

strokes in each cycle of movement, and so arthe handle being operable for returning the latch means to the latching position after it is moved away therefrom by the spring, a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position, and an indicator connected to and moved by the handle for indicating handle position and responsive to the relation of the pawl and handle, in turn responsive to the position of the latch means, whereby the latter position is indicated by the indicator.

7. In a switch, latch means, and a handle separate from the latch means for unlatching it, and spring means for moving the latch means well away from latching position when it is unlatched, the handle being operable for returning the latch means to the latching position after it is moved away therefrom by the spring, a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position, a contact, and a contactor controlled by the latch means and adapted to move with it, the spring biasing the contactor when latched against the contact, and biasing the latch means well away from its latching position and the contactor well away from the contact on unlatching of the contactor.

8. In a switch, latch means, and a handle separate from the latch means for unlatching it, and spring means for moving the latch means well away from latching position when it is unlatched, the handle being operable for returning the latch means to the latching position after it is moved away therefrom by the spring, a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position, a contact, and a contactor controlled by the latch means and adapted to move with it, the spring biasing the contactor when latched against the contact, and biasing the latch means well away from its latching position and the contactor well away from the contact on unlatching of the contactor, and an indicator actuated by the handle for indicating the relation of the pawl and handle, and the position of the latch, and in turn indicating the relation of the contactor with respect to the contact.

9. In a switch, latch means, and a handle separate from the latch means for unlatching it, and spring means for moving the latch means well away from latching position when it is unlatched, the handle being operable for returning the latch means to the latching position after it is moved away therefrom by the spring, a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position, the pawl, 'when engaging the handle, dening an outward position of the handle intermediate its extreme outward and inward positions.

10. In a switch, latch means, and a handle separate from the latch means for unlatchingr it, and spring means for moving the latch means well away from latching position when it is unlatched, the handle being operable for returning the latch means to the latching position after it is moved away therefrom by the spring, a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion 'limiting position, the pawl, when engaging the handle, dening an outward position of the handle intermediate its extreme outward and inward positions, a contact, and a contactor controlled by the latch means and adapted to move with it, the spring biasing the contactor when latched against the contact, and biasing the latch means well away from its latching position and the contactor well away from the contact on unlatching of the contactor, and an indicator actuated by the handle for indicating the relation of the pawl and handle, and the position of the latch, and in turn indicating the relation of the contactor with respect to the contact.

11. In a switch, latch means, and a handle separate from the latch means for unlatching it, and spring means for moving the latch means well away from latching position when it is unlatched, the handle being operable for returning the latch means to the latching position after it is moved away therefrom by the spring, a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position, the handle being in the form of a sliding push button biased outwardly by a spring and pushed inwardly manually, and means for limiting extreme outward motion of the handle.

12. In a switch, a movable contactor, latch means therefor, Spring means operating on the contactor for moving it towards and into circuit closing position when it is latched and for moving it to circuit opening position when it is unlatched, manually manipulable means for relatching the contactor` whereupon the contactor moves to circuit closing position, and manually manipulable means for unlatching the latch means whereupon the contactor moves to circuit open position, the two manual means being integral and formed as parts of a handle having an exposed manually accessible part,and a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching lmovement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position.

13. In a switch, a movable contactor, latch means therefor, spring means operating on the contactor for moving it towards and into circuit closing position when it is latched and for moving it to circuit opening position when it is unlatched, manually manipulable means for relatching the contactor whereupon the contactor moves to circuit closing position, and manually manipulable means for unlatching the latch means whereupon the contactor moves to circuit open position, the two manual means being integral and formed as parts of a handle having an exposed manually accessible part, and a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position, and an indicator actuated by the handle for indicating the relation of the pawl and handle, and the position of the latch, and in turn indicating the relation of the contactor with respect to the contact.

14. In a switch, a movable contactor, latch means therefor, spring means operating on the contactor for moving it towards and into circuit closing position when it is latched and for moving it to circuit opening position when it is unlatched, manually manipulable means for relatching the contactor whereupon the contactor moves to circuit closing position, and manually manipulable means for unlatching the latch means whereupon the contact moves to circuit open position, the two manually manipulable means moving at all times in unison, and a translator for operatively connecting the relatching means and the latch means but only when the latch means is unlatched and movable in response to contactor movement whereby contactor movement following unlatching positions the translator into operative connection position for relatching and relatching positions the translator out of operative connection position for relatching, and a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position.

15. In a switch, a movable contactor, latch means therefor, spring means operating on the contactor for moving it towards and into circuit closing position when it is latched and for moving it to circuit opening position when it is unlatched, manually manipulable means for relatching the contactor whereupon the spring moves the contactor to circuit closing position, and manually manipulable means for unlatching the contactor whereupon the spring moves contactor to circuit open position, the two manual means being integral and formed as parts of a handle having an exposed manually accessible part, and a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position.

16. In a switch, a movable contactor, latch means therefor, spring means operating on the contactor for moving it towards and into circuit closing position when it is latched and for moving it to circuit opening position when it is unlatched, manually manipulable means for relatching the contactor whereupon the spring moves the contactor to circuit closing position, and manually manipulable means for unlatching the contactor whereupon the spring moves contactor to circuit open position, the two manual means being integral and formed as parts of a handle having an exposed manually accessible part, and a pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position, and an indicator actuated by the handle for indicating the relation of the pawl and handle, and the position of the latch, and in turn indicating the relation of the contactor with respect to the contact.

17. In a switch, a movable contactor, latch means therefor, spring means operating on the contactor for moving it towards and into circuit closing position when it is latched and for moving it to circuit opening position when it is unlatched, manually manipulable means for relatching the contactor whereupon the spring moves the contactor to circuit closing position, and manually manipulable means for unlatching the contactor whereupon the spring moves contactor to circuit open position, the two manually manipulable means moving at all times in unison, and a translator ior operatively connecting the relatching means and the contactor but only after the contactor has moved in response to unlatching, or before the contactor has moved in response to relatching, whereby unlatching positions the translator into operative connection position for relatching, and relatchlng positions the translator out of operative connection position for relatching. and a. pawl for engaging the handle to limit its movement, the handle, in its unlatching movement also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to handle motion limiting position.

18. In combination, a casing, a multiple position push button actuator arranged to slide in an aperture of said casing, and having a front exposed face, means for stopping the button in either of two stopped positions, and a movable indicator carried by the button and exposed on its front face and movable relative thereto and arranged to be controlled selectively thereby for selectively indicating which of the two stopped positions is then occupied by the button, the indicator comprising a plate mounted on the button to slide across the button and engaging a formation of the casing whereby its movement across the button is determined by the sliding of the y button in the casing aperture.

19. A switch having a movable contactor, an automatically and manually releasable latch therefor, automatic latch release means, a spring for moving said contactor` out of circuit closing position when the latch releases, and for returning it to circuit closing position when the latch is reset, a single means successively manually operable in identical manner for unlatching the latch if it is latched, and for relatching the latch if it has been unlatched, means establishing an unlatching connection between the latch and the manual means, and a movable translator for establishing an operative relatching connection between the manual means and the latch, only when the latch isunlatched, the translator position being determined by the latch position, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the manually operable means to limit its movement, the manually operable means, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the manually operable means.

20. In a switch, a contactor, automatically and manually releasable latch means therefor, automatic latch releasing means, spring means for moving the contactor from circuit closing position when it is unlatched, and a manually accessible and manually actuated means having a portion for releasing the latch means, and a translator for operatively connecting the latch means and the manual means but only when the latch means is unlatched, for enabling the manual means to relatch the latch means, the latch means and translator being interconnected so that unlatching positions the translator into a manual means engaging path, and relatching moves it out oi that path, a. pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the manually actuated means to limit its movement, the manually actuated means, in its latch releasing movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement oi' the manually actuated means.

21. A switch having a movable contactor, an automatically and manually releasable latch therefor, automatic latch release means, a spring arranged to move said contactor out of circuit closing position when the latch releases, and to return it to circuit closing position when the latch is reset, and a single push button arranged to be pushed in to release the latch, if it holds, and to be pushed in to reset the latch, if it is released, means establishing a latch releasing connection between the push button and the latch, and a movable translator for establishing an operative resetting connection between the push button and the latch, only when the latch is released, the translator position being determined by the latch position, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the push button to limit its movement, the push button, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the push button.

22. In a switch, a manual means constructed and guided to have successive identical movements, automatically and manually releasable latch means, automatic latch releasing means, a cam forming an operative unlatching connection between the manual means and the latch means, and a translator for forming an operative relatching connection between the manual means and the latch means, the parts being so constructed that the translator is in a position to connect the manual means and latch means operatively, but only when the latch means is unlatched, being out of that position when the latch means is latched, the latch means and translator being so operatively connected that when the latch means is unlatched it moves the translator into manual means engaging position, and when the latch means is moved to latch, it moves the translator out of manual means engaging position, and when the translator is in manual means engaging position and is moved by the manual means, it translates manual means movement into relatching movement of the latch means, a pawl forming part of the translator for engagingthe manual means to limit its movement, the manual means, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the means.

23. In a switch, a stationary contact, a movable contactor, automatically and manually releasable latch means for the contactor, automatic latch releasing means, spring means operating on the contactor for biasing it towards and against the contact, when it is latched, and for moving it from the contact, when it is unlatched, a single manually manipulable means successively operable for relatching the contactor so that the contactor may thereupon be moved to and against the contact, and for unlatching the latch means so that the spring means may thereupon move the contactor from the contact, a cam forming an unlatching connection between the latch means and the manual means, and a translator forming a relatching connection between the manual means and the latch means, but only when the latch means is unlatched, being movable in response to latch movement whereby unlatching movement positions the translator into operative connection position for relatching, and relatching movement positions the translator out of operative connection position for relatching, a. pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the manually operable means to limit its movement,

the manually operable means, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the manually operable means.

24. In a switch, a stationary contact, a movably mounted translator, a movably mounted contactor, overload responsive latch means on the contactor interlatching it to the translator, spring means for moving the contactor towards and for urging it against the stationary contact when the latch holds, and for moving the contactor from the stationary contact when the latch releases, a push button having an unlatching portion for acting directly on the latch for unlatching the contactor from the translator, and a relatching portion for acting directly on the translatorl to move it and thus move the contactor and latch for relatching the contactor to the translator, the push button being arranged to operate for unlatching or relatching only when it is pushed in, and not when lt is released to return, means for returning the push button when it is released, the contactor spring means being arranged to operate on the translator to move it into the path of the push button relatching portion when the latch releases, whereby the translator forms an operative connection between the push button relatching portion and the con-- tactor only when the latch has released, and also to move the latch out of the path of the push button unlatching portion, with push button relatching movement operating not only to move the translator and the contactor for relatching them relatively, but also to move the translator out of the path of the push button relatching portion, and to move the contactor latch into the path of the push button unlatching portion, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the push button to limit its movement, the push button, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the push button.

25. A switch having a movable contactor, an automatically and manually releasable latch therefor, automatic latch release means, a spring for moving said contactor out of circuit closing position when the latch releases, and for returning it to circuit closing position when the latch is reset, a single means successively manually operable in identical manner for unlatching the latch if it is latched, and for relatching the latch if it has been unlatched, means establishing an unlatching connection between the latch and manual means, and a movable translator for establishing an operative relatching connection between the manual means and the latch, only when the latch is unlatched, the translator position being determined by the latch position, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the manually operable means to limit its movement, the manually operable means, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the manually operable means, the pawl and the manually operable means being so formed that the position in which the pawl holds the manually operable means is an intermediate position of the manually operable means, diiierenf from the position it occupies when the pawl does not hold the manually operable means, whereby the position of the manually operable asomar means indicates the position of the pawl, the translator, the latch, and the contactor.

26. In a switch, a contactor, automatically and manually releasable latch means therefor, automatic latch releasing means, spring means for moving the contactor from circuit closing position when it is unlatched, and a manually accessible and manually actuated means having a portion for releasing the latch means, and a translator for operatively connecting the latch means and the manual means but only when the latch means is unlatched, for enabling the manual means to relatch the latch means, the latch means and translator being interconnected so that unlatching positions the translator into a manual means engaging path, and relatching moves it out i that path, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the manually actuated means to limit its movement, the manually actuated means, in its latch releasing movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movementI of the manually actuated means, the pawl and the manually actuated means being so formed that the position in which the pawl holds the manually actuated means is an intermediate position of the manually actuated means, diiferent from the position it occupies when the pawl does not hold vthe manually operable means, whereby the position of the manually actuated means indicates the position of the pawl, the translator, the latch, and the contactor.

27. A switch having a movable contactor, an automatically and manually releasable latch therefor, automatic latch release means, a spring arranged to move said contactor out of circuit closing position when the latch releases, and to return it to circuit closing position when the latch is reset, and a single push button arranged to be pushed in to release the latch, if it holds, and to be pushed in to reset the latch, if it is released, means establishing a latch releasing connection between the push button and the latch, and a movable translator for establishing an operative resetting connection between the push 'button and the latch, only when the latch is released, the translator position being determined by the latch position, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the push button to limit its movement, the push button, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to position where it limits movement of the push button, the pawl and the push button being so formed that the position in which the pawl holds the push button is an intermediate position of the push button, different from the position it occupies when the pawl does not hold the push button, whereby push button position indicates the position of the pawl, the translator, the latch and the contactor.

28. In a switch, a manual means constructed and guided to have successive identical movements, automatically and manually releasable latch means, automatic latch releasing means, a cam forming an operative unlatching connection between the manual means and the latch means, and a translator for forming an operative relatching connection between the manual means and the latch means, the parts being so constructed that the translator is in a position to connect the manual means and latch means operatively, but only when the latch means is unlatched, being out of that position when the latch means is latched, the latch means and translator being so operatively connected that when the latch means is unlatched it moves the translator into manual means engaging position, and when the latch means is moved to latch, it moves the translator out of manual means engaging position, and when the translator is in manual means engaging position and is moved by the manual means, it translates manual means -movement into relatching movement of the latch means, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the manual means to limit its movement, the manual means, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the manual means, the pawl and the manual means being so formed that the position in which the pawl holds the manual means is an intermediate position of the manual means, diierent from the position it occupies when the pawl does not hold the manual operable means,` whereby manual means position indicates the position of the pawl, the translator, and the latch.

29. In a switch, a stationary contact, a movable contactor, automatically and manually releasable latch means :for the contactor, automatic latch releasing means, spring means operating on the contactor for biasing it towards and against the contact, when it is latched, and for moving it from the contact, when it is unlatched, a single manually manipulable means successively operable for relatching the contactor so that the contactor may thereupon be moved to and against the contact, and for unlatching the latch means so that the spring means may thereupon move the contactor from the contact, a cam forming an unlatching connection between the latch means and the manual means, and a translator forming a relatching connection between the manual means and the latch means, but only Iwhen the latch means is unlatched, being movable in response to latch movement whereby unlatching movement positions the translator into operative connection position for relatching, and relatching movement positions the translator out of operative connection position for relatching, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the manually operable means to limit its movement, the manually operable means, in its unlatching movement, also releasing the pawl from it, and in its relatching movement resetting the pawl to a position where it limits movement of the manually operable means, the pawl and the manually operable means being so formed that the position in which the pawl holds the manually operable means is an intermediate position of the manually operable means, different from the position it occupies when the pawl does not hold the manually operable means, whereby the position of the manually operable means indicates the position of the pawl, the translator, the latch, and the contactor'.

30. In a switch, a stationary contact, a movably mounted translator, a movably mounted contactor or overload responsive latch means on the contactor interlatching it to the translator, spring means for moving the contactor towards and for urging it against the stationary contact when the latch holds, and for moving the contactor from the stationary contact when the latch releases, a push button having an unlatching portion for acting directly on the latch for unlatching the contactor from the translator, and a relatching portion for acting directly on the translator to move it and thus move the contacter and latch for relatchlng the contactor to the translator, the push button being arranged to operate for unlatching or relatching only when it. is pushed in. and not when it is released to return, means for returning the push button when it is released, the contactor spring means being arranged to operate on the translator to move it into the path of the push button relatching portion when the latch releases, rwhere-- by the translator forms an operative connection between the push button relatching portion and the contactor only when the latch has released, and also to move the latch out of the path of the push button unlatching portion, with push button relatching movement operating not only to move the translator and the contactor for relatching them relatively, but also to move the translator out of the path of the push button relatching portion, and to move the contactor latch into the path of the push button unlatching portion, a pawl forming part of the translator for engaging the push button to limit its mvement, the push button, in its unlatching movementl also releasing the pawl from it, and in Sts relatching movement resetting the pawl to a po ition where it limits movement of the push button, the pawl and the push lbutton being so formed that the position in which the pawl holds the push button is an intermediate position of the push button, diierent from the position it occupies when the pawl does not hold the push button, whereby push button position indicates the position of the pawl, the translator, the latch, and the contactor.

ELWOOD T. PLATZ. 

